Family domaine in Nueil-sur-Layon making Chenin Blanc wines, from floral Terres de Paillé to off dry Cuvée Pierrot.
The producer
Domaine de la Clartière is a family domaine in Nueil-sur-Layon, Maine-et-Loire, farmed across four generations and 40 hectares. The Pinet family works seven grape varieties, with Chenin Blanc appearing in Terres de Paillé and Coteaux du Layon Cuvée Pierrot. Terres de Paillé shows floral and mineral aromas, while Cuvée Pierrot ferments freely in tank and carries 70g/L residual sugar. Édouard and Pierre-Antoine Pinet cultivate, vinify and commercialize the wines themselves under Terra Vitis certification.
Known for
Chenin Blanc in floral and off dry styles
Notable facts
The Pinet family has cultivated Domaine de la Clartière in Nueil-sur-Layon across four generations.
The vineyard covers 40 hectares.
Domaine de la Clartière works with seven grape varieties.
The domaine holds Terra Vitis environmental certification.
The story
Two Brothers In The Cellar
In 2007 Pierre-Antoine Pinet took over winemaking leadership at Domaine de la Clartière. In 2017, his younger brother Édouard returned from abroad and joined him to work in the cellar. The handover happened inside a family vineyard operated across four generations in Nueil-sur-Layon, Maine-et-Loire. The brothers cultivate the vines, vinify the wines and commercialize them themselves, keeping the domaine's work under family control.
From the atlas
Domaine de la Clartière
An independent family domaine in Nueil-sur-Layon, with Chenin Blanc wines that range from floral mineral whites to an off dry Coteaux du Layon.
Terra Vitis certification and direct cultivation, vinification and commercialization
The Producer
Pierre-Antoine Pinet took over winemaking leadership in 2007. In 2017, his younger brother Édouard returned from abroad and joined him in the cellar. The Pinet brothers own and operate Domaine de la Clartière as an independent family domaine in Nueil-sur-Layon, Maine-et-Loire.
The family handles the complete chain themselves. They cultivate the vines, vinify the wines and commercialize them directly. Terra Vitis certification forms part of the domaine's current operation.
Place
Nueil-sur-Layon, in Maine-et-Loire, is the domaine's home place. Cuvée Pierrot carries the Coteaux du Layon designation, so the wine's appellation appears directly in its name. The domaine also works across multiple AOC designations, giving the range more than one label category.
Wines
Terres de Paillé is made from 100% Chenin Blanc. It has a pale straw colour, floral and mineral aromas, and a fresh, balanced palate with quince and citron. It pairs with poultry and lobster.
Coteaux du Layon Cuvée Pierrot is also 100% Chenin Blanc, made from manually harvested, fully ripe grapes given a first sorting, with no noble rot. It ferments freely in tank. The wine is off dry, with 70g/L residual sugar, 11% alcohol and 4.6g/L acidity. It is ready to drink immediately and retains its fruity character for 3 to 5 years.
Final Word
Domaine de la Clartière keeps cultivation, vinification and commercialization under family control. Its named whites place Chenin Blanc in two distinct styles, from Terres de Paillé to Coteaux du Layon Cuvée Pierrot.